As part of deliberate efforts to assist hotels in upgrading their facilities to international standards, the Cross River State government, on Tuesday, presented a cheque of N1 million grant each to 10 hotels in the Central Senatorial District of the state.

The initiative is part of an innovation package by the Cross River State Tourism Bureau tagged “Empowering Hotels, Investing In Excellence, Our Commitment to Sustainable Tourism”aimed at resuscitating the industry.

Presenting the cheques at a ceremony held at the Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar, the Managing Director of the Bureau, Prince Ojoi Ekpenyong, said the incentive is meant to buttress the unwavering commitment of the Bureau to sustainable tourism and belief in the potential of local businesses.

“Today’s recognition is not merely a financial grant; it’s a vote of confidence in your commitment to excellence, service quality, and the advancement of our State’s tourism landscape,” he said.

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Ojoi revealed that the 10 hotels will be closely monitored in alignment with the grant criteria and the minimum requirements of industry standards.

He said that the package which started in the South with 10 hoteliers benefiting and now in the central, will be replicated in northern Senatorial districts before returning to the South.

The managing director who disclosed the governor’s promise to continue the gesture throughout his administration commended him for his dedication to fulfilling promises outlined in the “People’s First mantra.”

Prince Ojoi pointed out that the award is a tangible demonstration of the governor’s commitment to fostering economic growth and empowerment within the state.

Stating the basis of the selection, the chairman of the selection committee Mr Ugba Murphy said, “These 10 exceptional hotels in the Senatorial district were carefully selected based on their commendable efforts in staying up to date with licensing requirements and their potential for remarkable growth.”

Presenting the award to some of the beneficiaries, Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem said the grant is a welcome development and promised that the Assembly will come up with strong legislation on security and cleanliness to boost the sector.

He pledged that the 10th Assembly will cooperate with the Tourism Bureau and work with stakeholders to ensure the success of the industry in the state.

On his part, the state Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, advised the beneficiaries to make the most of what they have received and join hands with the government to move the sector from strength to strength.

In his remark, the chairman of Cross River State Hoteliers Association, Mr Charles Ogar, who thanked the government for the gesture said they will form a team to monitor and ensure that funds are judiciously used for the purposes intended.

In separate interviews, officials of the benefiting hotels who described the gesture as unprecedented said no government in the state has ever done what Governor Bassey Otu has done with the grant.

They promised to use the grant to improve their facilities to standard.

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